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Europa Park has released a ton of new details about their upcoming season as well as changes across the resort, including most notably, the addition of a brand new roller coaster in a new Croatia-themed area of the park! You can learn more about this new coaster by viewing a new documentary here: https://www.veejoy.de/en https://corporate.europapark.com/en/presse/nachricht/datum/2022/03/18/grenzenloser-spass-in-deutschlands-groesstem-freizeitpark/ In Europa-Park, visitors travel through 15 European themed areas in just one day, experiencing traditional architecture and cuisine. At over 100 attractions, holidaymakers of all ages can feel the wind on their faces and simply recharge their batteries. In the 2022 season, there are plenty of new highlights to discover at Germany's largest theme park, especially in the Austrian themed area. In Rust, it’s also possible to get out of the southern Baden sun and into a Nordic themed world. Located in the immediate vicinity of Europa-Park, the whole family can look forward to swimming and sliding fun at the Rulantica water world. Young visitors in particular will be excited, as this season there are some new surprises to discover. Those who love travelling can not only experience adventures in Rulantica, they also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in virtual worlds at the virtual reality sensation YULLBE. Imperial fun The Austrian themed area is changing in the new season, as the empire makes its entrance. During a ride on the lake, guests can marvel at the beauties of Austria and magnificent garden art. The conversion of the Jungle Rafts ride with the new theme of ‘Josefina's Magical Imperial Journey’ will take place in several stages until 2023. From the start of the 2022 season, the romantic boat ride will be open to the whole family, with new innovations to be discovered. Over several phases, the train station and the boats are being reworked to shine with a new majestic splendour. In ‘Josefina's Magical Imperial Journey’, guests enjoy a themed ride across an idyllic lake and through a magnificent palace garden. Accompanied by beautiful waltz music composed by T-Rex Classics, the route leads past impressive water features and a secret garden, as well as through a romantic rose arch. Visitors pass through different stages of Empress Josefina's life: from the wild, nature-loving childhood to her life as Empress - princesses and princes of all sizes will not be disappointed. A visual highlight is the fountain show 'Vienna Water Waltz', where visitors can experience an exciting interplay of water, light and music. 54 fountains up to 40 metres high make for a gigantic show. The ‘Danube Steamer' attraction will also shine with a brand new look in the 2022 season. Since last summer, the lovable grandma of dinosaurs Madame Freudenreich has also inspired visitors. Alongside her friendly dinosaurs, visitors can experience a fast-paced soapbox race over hill and dale in 'Madame Freudenreich Dino Race VR’ - the VR experience on the 'Alpenexpress Coastiality'. In the 2022 season, visitors can also experience the action-packed story to the new YULLBE PRO Experience ‘Amber Blake: Operation Dragonfly’ in ‘Amber Blake - The Chase’ on the ‘Alpenexpress Coastiality’. Starting this summer, they will be able to immerse themselves in a 30-minute interactive spy film at the independent VR attraction YULLBE, located between hotel ‘Krønasår’ and the Rulantica water world. From spring, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the detailed landscape of Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg with the YULLBE PRO adventure 'Miniatur Wunderland - The Crazy Shrink Tour' or the YULLBE GO experience 'Miniatur Wunderland - Walking in Wonderland'. There are plenty of other highlights for all ages to discover in the 15 European themed areas of Europa-Park. In Holland, visitors can follow in the footsteps of pirates and privateers on a boat ride with the brave 'Pirates in Batavia'. At the new 'granini Saft Butikk' in the Scandinavian themed area, juices, cool spritzers or delicious cocktails provide fruity refreshment. In addition, 13 rollercoasters guarantee thrilling speeds through the rugged rocky landscapes of Iceland or the world of the Greek god of water, Poseidon. In the Magic Cinema 4D, guests can watch the Wünschmann family's next adventure on a new screen using the latest projector technology with the short film 'Happy Family Next Level 4D'. Right next to the cinema, the bistro La Cigale was renamed Bistro Tomi Ungerer last year in memory of the great Alsatian artist. The hearts of SC Freiburg fans are sure to beat faster at the newly decorated 'Arena of Football' - where a small VIP box, props from SC Freiburg, a photo point and exciting insights into the Europa-Park Stadium await the guests. Stylish sportswear can be found in the 'TOGETHER.FASTER. Sports Store' with new cooperation partner PUMA, where they even have their own Europa-Park collection. Summery shows Visitors to Germany's largest theme park can look forward to numerous event highlights with artists, dancers, musicians and singers again this year. Europa-Park offers the highest level of live entertainment for a total of 23 hours a day. During the daily 'Ed's Adventure Parade', a new pirate fortress makes its way through the park as visitors find themselves captivated by the gripping music and spectacular costumes. In the Spanish Arena, visitors of all ages can expect breathtaking horse acrobatics with the show 'The Return of the Sultan', presented by the stunt troupe of the famous horse trainer Mario Luraschi. Pure joie de vivre can be found at 'The Show must go on' in the Europa-Park Teatro, celebrated with world-class acrobatics. Magic lovers will find what they are looking for in the English themed area, where Timothy Trust & Diamond create illusions with 'Abraka...Shakespeare! RELOADED'. In the Greek themed area, Europa-Park’s star figure skaters celebrate the birth of the legendary Adventure Club of Europe in a fast-paced show with magical effects, glamorous costumes and gripping music at 'ACE - The adventure begins!'. A special highlight awaits viewers of the popular show ‘Immer wieder sonntags’, as this TV show will soon have a new arena right next to Rulantica, from where the programs will be broadcast live to viewers' living rooms from 12th June 2022. The ultimate water fun for the whole family During a short holiday in the warmest region of Germany, a visit to the Rulantica water world is a must. Since last season, swimming and bathing fans can look forward to the Nordic Outdoor World of Slides. From May to September, ten slides – including a wave slide and a funnel slide – await brave explorers in 'Svalgurok'. A stay in the water world is also a great experience for families with small children, as right next to ‘Svalgurok’, the littlest of guests can also cool off and have fun during the warm season while their parents relax comfortably on one of the over 1000 loungers in the outdoor area. This year, 'Snorri Strand' offers even more water fun, as three new child-friendly slides promise additional action for the little ones at 'Snorri's Rutscheplads. At 'Snorri's Spelaborg' a fortress made of crates and all kinds of flotsam will get imaginations flaring. After splashing around, visitors of all ages can enjoy a break from the swimming at 'Snorri's Piknikbud' with delicious sandwiches, fruit cups and refreshing drinks. From spring, it will also be possible to enjoy that holiday feeling at the Nordic sandy beach 'Dynstrønd', the new location for summer fun and relaxing sunbathing. Numerous sun loungers, six beach chairs, stylish hanging baskets, a sand playground for children and a beach volleyball court leave absolutely nothing to be desired. From time to time, musical and artistic surprises also await guests on the open-air stage. A variety of slides can also be found in the indoor area: The 'Isbrekker' jump slide first goes down a steep drop, leading into a free fall from a height of 1.30 metres that plunges into the water pool. In the 'Vinter Rytt’, the steep slide wall rises up almost vertically, and the 'Svalgur Rytt' rafting slide features plenty of curves, where up to four people aged 10 and over can slide together in one tyre. At 'Snorri Snorkling VR', visitors put on VR diving goggles and embark on a fantastic adventure deep under the sea surface with the lively Sixtopus Snorri. This virtual underwater tour is unique worldwide and was specially developed by MackNeXT and VR Coaster. Adults can then relax in the exclusive Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area. The wellness oasis has a Nordic ambience and is located above the 'Lumålunda' restaurant, offering a fantastic view of the entire water world. On 1,000m², comfortable loungers, three nude wooden saunas and a large outdoor terrace await guests aged 18 and over. Last winter, the new 'KOTA Sauna Chalet' also made its appearance. There, guests can enjoy a proper sauna surrounded by rustic tables and seating, as well as a sauna oven, while enjoying a delicious wheat beer - with or without alcohol. Both 'Snorri Snorkling VR' and 'Hyggedal' are additional offers that can be booked online in addition to the day ticket. Heavenly nights at the Europa-Park Resort If your feet are tired from a day of exploring the Resort, the six Europa-Park hotels and the rustic Camp Resort offer ideal relaxation. Whether it’s the lonely fjords in the far north or a dream of Mediterranean nights for you, the park's own 4* and 4* superior themed hotels enchant guests with their lovingly-designed theming and an excellent authentic cuisine. Generous wellness and spa areas provide the perfect way to round off your stay. From the summer, guests of Hotel Krønasår can book one of 11 suites, each with a steam bath or sauna. The new 160 m² infinity pool will also ensure a relaxing time together with loved ones. Days at Europa-Park and Rulantica are guaranteed to be a unique short holiday for the whole family.

Alright… Now that the rumor has been debunked, let’s move away from talking about rumor sites and keep the conversations on this thread focused on Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and all things related.

^I think it depends on what you’re looking for… Are you looking for rumors that may or may not be true or are you looking to only see the real stuff when it is confirmed. If it is the latter, you could just keep coming here where we post legitimate news as it is released.

And we’re moving on…

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay isn't the only park in Central Florida with new steel! I had a chance to hop over to SeaWorld Orlando to experience the Seven Seas Food Festival, spot some construction progress for an upcoming project (rumored to be a new coaster) and of course, to ride Ice Breaker for the first time! Ice Breaker is a new shuttle-launch coaster with a "beyond vertical" spike. This coaster packs a surprising punch between its speed and really solid airtime. The coaster operates with two trains, each with eighteen riders. It isn't super high capacity for this reason but the ops team seems to be doing a pretty solid job of moving trains to the launch track as the other train hits the brake run. I enjoyed this one far more than I expected--my only gripes are the capacity and the unnecessary comfort collars. I'll say it because it needs to be said. This coaster doesn't go upside down. It doesn't need comfort collars or over the shoulder restraints. Iron Gwazi (and plenty of other comparable Premier Launchers) operates with just a lap bar and there's no reason this coaster couldn't either. In case you haven't already seen it, here is the new entrance sign for SeaWorld. Construction walls near the park's festival area now extend to the old tram path outside of the park limits. Inside of the park the new "beer garden" between Sesame Street Land and Wild Arctic has been unveiled. I didn't expect it to be a literal garden with beer, but here we are. Lots of tasty food options to be had at the Seven Seas Food Festival. Buying a lanyard is still the best deal if you know you're going to buy five or more items during your visit. Reuben egg rolls and shepherd's pie from Ireland. Both delicious. Skirt steak and a frozen caipirinha. The drink is highly recommended especially on a hot day! Giant meatballs and mozzarella at the Italy booth. The shrimp roll and clam chowder were both really generous portions for a festival event! Why I'm really here. The coaster is tucked into a very small plot of land and guests can get very close. Lots of themed merch available for purchase. I really do love that SeaWorld parks have embraced the fun of producing CoasterDynamix Nanocoasters. A neat model. As the sun began to set, I took some time to photograph the coaster in motion. This is a neat element. At this point the coaster flys through the layout at a surprising speed. And this is a neat vantage point. Yes, the height requirement was raised before the ride's grand opening... This is neat to watch up close. I won't complain about more opportunities for airtime in Central Florida. I wish these trains were more comfortable and easier to get in and out of. The comfort collars are difficult to navigate and don't feel necessary in the slightest. I got lucky with a really pretty sunset. The money shot. They have other coasters here too. Still water beneath a gorgeous sky. Just taking it all in. I love SeaWorld's Waterfront views. Looking towards the festival area beside Bayside Stadium, we can see some of the area amenities being cleared. Looks like what is coming will reshape this corner of the park. Construction flags! Looking forward to seeing this space transformed! Even the exit for Ice Breaker is a narrow path. Everything about this coaster fits into a narrow space. Since we were here, I finally had a chance to experience the newer Orca Encounter show. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new show balanced education and more "show" elements. My son was loving every second of seeing these orcas in action. The audience around us certainly wasn't bored. This will never not amaze me. I haven't taken a cheesy photo in a while so here's me getting back to quota. I love that SeaWorld is playing into the nostalgia of its classic characters. Merchandise to play into these "classics" has been ramping up over the last few months and I think it is brilliant. This is the "Sea World" I grew up with and it is fun to see these characters revived. I hope walk-around versions are next! Love. It. Care to join?

Yesterday Theme Park Review was invited to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant for a preview of this year's Raglan Road Mighty St. Patrick's Festival! During this experience we had a chance to take in the tastes, sights and sounds of Raglan Road's special offerings for this event as well as some unique new offerings that could be coming to their menu later this year. The Might Festival runs from Friday, March 11th through Thursday, March 17th and some of the items we experienced will be offered at Raglan Road in the weeks to follow. It is no secret that Raglan Road is one of my favorite places in all of Disney Springs. Inside of Raglan Road you can experience performances by authentic Irish and Celtic bands. You also can experience authentic Irish step-dancing up close while dining. There is no bad location within the restaurant as the performers move throughout the restaurant during the day to entertain each of the rooms. And there is entertainment for the outdoor seating areas as well! We had a chance to hear from one of the two owners of Raglan Road, who introduced a special Strawberry & Lime Seltzer called So Berry Les, a tribute to his father who is pictured on the bottle and in photos throughout the restaurant. Raglan Road is a fantastic place to enjoy drinks of all types. In addition to the So Berry Les seltzer which was delicious, we tried the new "Paddy's Mighty" composed of Dingle Gin, muddled cucumber, basil simple, lemon juice & egg white. It was smooth and super refreshing! This drink will be offered during The Mighty Festival but could become a longterm addition to the menu if it proves popular with guests. The "Now You're Talkin' Chicken Sandwich" has been on the Raglan menu for a few weeks. While ours was a sampler size, the flavors were fantastic and we all were left craving seconds. The sandwich includes a fried buttermilk chicken breast, hot sauce, scallions, shredded pickle slaw, truffle aioli and grated parmesan. My personal favorite of the flavors we sampled from The Mighty Festival menu, this Smoked Pulled Brisket was insanely good. Served atop Irish buttermilk and Dubliner cheddar cheese bread with caramelized onion puree and charred sweetcorn salsa, this bite melted in our mouths. And we were lucky enough to each get a second bite which was equally as incredible. "The Salmon Who Salsas" is a Roasted Atlantic Salmon filet on boxty potato & celery root puree served with a smoked salmon, apple, grape, caper & almond salsa. Salmon lovers will be pleased. The celery root puree made the bite for me. A recent addition to the year-round Raglan menu is "This Shepherd Went Vegan" which is the vegan version of their classic Shepherd's Pie. I'm a huge fan of the meat-filled version and I will say that this version stands on its own as hearty and flavorful. Vegans and those in the mood for a veggie-heavy dish will be happy all the same. While Magners is accessible in many restaurants, its Pear Cider is not commonly found on tap--but at Raglan Road it is! We were surprised with a savory donut featuring brisket and a parmesan icing. It was unreal. And while we were confident that that last bite would have been the best of the evening, we were spoiled with a second savory donut, this one with chicken, bacon and cheese with a Guinness glaze. The Raglan Road step-dancers move throughout the restaurant to make sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy their unique style of dance up close. But back on the main hall is definitely where the experience is best enjoyed! Raglan Road dancers certainly know how to get some air! I love the main hall of Raglan Road! If you're not able to dine in Raglan Road Pub & Restaurant but you still want some delicious Irish fare, you can stop by Cookes of Dublin (sporting a great new sign out front). We had a fantastic taste of this year's Raglan Road Mighty Festival and you can too between now and March 17th! And if you can't make it out for the Festival, the regular Raglan Road experience is no less Mighty, and is well worth your visit!

Over the last few weeks I've had a chance to experience several of Central Florida's newest coasters while also taking in some artsy experiences along the way. The first of these three was a visit to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for a passholder preview of Iron Gwazi, the park's RMC conversion of the former Gwazi dueling wooden coaster. Let's start by stating the obvious... This is a much better experience than the previous version of Gwazi in every sense. Iron Gwazi is smooth, fast, intense experience. Gwazi, especially in its latter years was rough, aggressive and meandering at times. The new coaster leverages approximately a third of the former coasters' wooden structure and while the geek in me wishes we could have gotten an updated dueling or moebius style coaster (akin to Twisted Colossus), I'm grateful for what we got. The only other Rocky Mountain Construction coaster I've experienced to date is Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point, so I expected to really like this one purely for its similar style. I wouldn't consider this better than Steel Vengeance, considering the Cedar Point attraction has a longer ride time, more airtime, more inversions--there's just more to it. But I do find there to be some elements that are better on Iron Gwazi, such as the transitions between elements. There are some really jarring transitions on the Ohio-based coaster where Iron Gwazi really flows smoothly (with no abrupt changes) from maneuver to maneuver. There's much to love about each coaster, but having Iron Gwazi so much closer to home makes my sense of urgency to return to Sandusky that much less. Almost all of the former Gwazi queue is intact and in use for Iron Gwazi. One side of the queue, dedicated formerly to one side of the coaster is now used exclusively as the Quick Queue/Platinum Pass re-ride line where the other serves as the standby queue. Once in the main station building, it is hard not to recognize the former second track's loading section and dispatch opening from the building (if you know what you're looking for), both covered up but noticeable. It should be noted that from the front side of Iron Gwazi as well as inside of the queue and station, there are few good vantage points to see the majority of the coaster's biggest maneuvers. Your best views when not on the coaster will be from when Gwazi Park is open for special events or from the Sky Ride when it reopens later this year. Gwazi was themed to a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a lion--each of the two coaster tracks was themed to one of the two actual creatures. The color scheme of light blues, yellows, oranges, purples and greens has been replaced with a more streamlined (and pronounced) purple and green to match the new alligator-themed Iron Gwazi. Since my visit Montu has reopened with a bright new color scheme. Iron Gwazi has definitely changed the park's skyline. As I'd imagine will be the case once the ride officially opens, the line for the passholder previews ran down near the park entrance. The ride was still testing as of park opening. This was my first time seeing the overbanked curve behind the entrance. The station has been repainted with bold colors that really pop against the replenished thatch roofing. This will look familiar for those that previous experienced Gwazi. One section of the queue takes place in the lower pit area where the two Gwazi tracks would cross before heading towards their respective lift hills. Now guests pass directly underneath the track as it turns towards a dip that leads to the coaster's lift hill. It was neat walking in this space without any wooden track around it. Iron Gwazi facts. Picturesque. More Iron Gwazi facts. They aren't kidding with "The Death Roll." It is definitely the wildest element of the coaster besides the initial drop. One of the few areas where you can see track semi-clearly from the queue. The majority of coaster is hidden behind the queue and station. Wooden structure from the former Gwazi coasters is bolstered by new steel supports in high-stress sections of the new coaster. Peaking through the supports you can see a portion of The Death Roll. Going down! The coaster zips through this portion of the layout. Like most new coasters at SeaWorld and Busch parks, there is a monitor in the station showing which seats are locked in and how long the train has been parked in the station. Iron Gwazi operates with two trains and due to its quick layout, it works out pretty well that a train is dispatched right around the time the other train hits the block section. The former spot where one of two Gwazi tracks would exit the station. Notice the lighter-colored flooring on the left... That is the filled in portion of the station where the load section used to be for one of the two Gwazi tracks. A neat pattern found when you look up in the station... With a fun nod to the old coasters found by the loading side of the last row. In the block section/transfer track you will find the former lead car decorations from the Gwazi Lion and Gwazi Tiger trains hung on the wall. I couldn't get a picture since my phone was secured for the ride. The front of the train looks great! And the side panel detailing is neat too. There is a Ride Photo location at the exit and it is powered by the park's PhotoKey service. Definitely a different view compared to a few years ago. Such a fun element! Zooming past the ride photo location. The ride's gift shop is currently selling a series of classic Gwazi-inspired merchandise. These neon shirts were available to purchase in years surrounding the original coasters' debut. Pin collectors will be happy with these new options. And of course there is Iron Gwazi merchandise. I love that they have CoasterDynamix Nanocoasters for both Iron Gwazi and Gwazi. The Gwazi model is super detailed and I was very tempted to buy it on the spot if not for the $50 price tag. There's less metal to the Iron Gwazi model and the price is $40. I love the side by side comparison of the stats... I definitely didn't realize that despite two coasters becoming one, Iron Gwazi manages to have more track than its predecessors combined. Commemorate concept art prints are available in a limited edition size of 2022. I wish there was a better angle to watch the drop... The Death Roll is experienced with such speed, I was flying out of my seat, held in only by the snug lapbars of the train. And yet, this was exceptionally comfortable with no collars or over the shoulder restraints. Flying through a mess of track. Fly by! I love this element! It was neat to see that the park has defined two walking trail layouts that can be experienced while in the park. Cheetah Hunt has a new neighbor on the horizon. Over in the Serengeti Overlook (the former Crown Colony House) the Giraffe Bar opened to offers guests drinks with a view. A new restaurant, Treetop Kitchen will open on the third floor in the place of the former Crown Colony House Restaurant. Cheetah Hunt also reopened recently after receiving a fresh coat of paint. The Skyride is set to reopen this summer. Can't get over The Death Roll. Another fun maneuver! Sorry but I can't help but admire. I'll be back to ride this again soon! A fun momento guests received for attending Iron Gwazi's passholder previews...

Such a great compilation of POVs! Thanks for sharing Robb!

Stepping back a little to the tail end of our afternoon in the parks (before visiting the Grand Californian), we were able to spend some time in the new Avengers Campus. While we had experienced Marvel characters and Marvel shows in Shanghai, Paris and California before, this was the first time seeing a fully dedicated Marvel-themed land. Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout! has been a favorite of ours for years and the hype train for the land had been built up thanks to us seeing all of the newest MCU characters finding their way into the land as new movies and shows would be released. A very different look at feel compared to the previous "a bug's land" that was here. The land's main merchandise location. The story of Web Slingers continues throughout the land where Spider-Bots are strung up in webs. And of course you can bring your own, customizable Spider-Bot home for more fun. I love this. You have no idea how excited I was to try Pingo Doce while I was here. Over at the main Avengers Campus building you can see different MCU characters roaming around and sometimes engaging in fights against villainous foes. In this moment we say Sam Wilson's Captain America interacting with Black Panther. I intentionally avoided all spoilers before experiencing this one. I love that they got Tom Holland to reprise his role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man for the ride. Marvel fans will notice some neat easter eggs like Lucky Dog's Pizza. That suit looks kind of familiar... If you've been on other attractions where your hands are the virtual controllers, I will say that this feels more advanced and intuitive. You're not just whipping your arms wildly to "shoot" but you're pulling and pushing to trigger different behaviors. It definitely made the experience feel more interactive and less "not knowing if you're actually doing anything." I love that the current Avengers Campus was a former SSR base. The queue leads to a neat station. The vehicles are pretty large and feature seating forwards and backwards. Obviously not super clear but it gives you an idea of kind of what you're seeing and experiencing as you move through Web Slingers. I also liked the variety of different types of Spider-Bots having different powers/reactions to being attacked. Having the individual Spider-Bots tracked along with the total score made this feel even more repeatable. During the day the ancient sanctum can be used for a variety of experiences... A familiar face out and about. Iron Man would be the last character we would see before we had to rush over to the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa... Months earlier I had put us on a waitlist for the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose, my favorite restaurant/dining experience on property at the Disneyland Resort. At the time it was already fully booked during our stay... But as it was clearly meant to be, we got the call, rushed back to our hotel to get cleaned up and then sped over to the Grand Californian for our culinary journey to begin. The Chef's Counter at Napa Rose is a super exclusive experience with approximately eight seats (four on either side of the main expediting counter). There is a dessert counter experience (seen in the top left of this photo) as well, but if you're here, going for the full deal is the best way to go. You get to watch the team behind this prestigious restaurant at work, all while being treated to a personalized menu prepared just for you based on your likes/dislikes as well as the freshest and most unique ingredients the kitchen has on hand. Chef Andrew Sutton, seen at left presides over the restaurant and if you're lucky like we've been both times we've been at the Chef's Counter, he gets to have a hand in designing and preparing portions of your menu, plus getting a chance to speak with you during the meal. I won't post every food photo I took from the meal... Just the highlights of highlights. Our meal started out with a Parsnip Espuma and Lace Tuile, mine topped with Golden Osetra Caviar and my wife's topped with Crimson Beets since caviar is not her thing. Neither of us could believe just how good this tasted. The Chef's Counter offers a wine pairing option but as I did during my last visit, I opted for cocktail pairings to come out with every few courses. The first was this unreal Provence Sour made with Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Rose Wine, Lemon Juice and Egg Whites. It was like drinking a cloud from heaven. My wife was surprised with these amazing Artichoke Parmesan Fritters. My next dish was a plate of House Cured Ahi Tuna with Braised Lentils, Lobster Tian and Lemon Gelees. My wife's favorite dish of the night was this Holiday Goose served with a Butternut Squash Ravioli and Cranberry Relish. This was the holidays on a plate and it was bliss. This unreal Diver Scallop was perfectly cooked and paired brilliantly with the Braised Kobe Beef Cheek, Chanterelle Mushrooms and Pumpkin Seeds. My next drink was the Summer Kiss, a combination of Hendricks Gin, Combier, Lemon Juice, St. Germain and an Absinthe Rinse. SMOOTH. This Smoked Pork Loin with a Butternut Mole and Red Rice was this bacon-lover's unkosher dream! An absolute standout of the evening, and a surprising favorite of my wife's, the Wild Boar Meatloaf with Pickled Persimmons. This felt homey but also super elevated. My next course was a Stuffed Lam Saddle with a Chestnut Puree and Autumn Greens. That puree was the star of the dish. Tender Braised Beef Pot Roast with Green Garlic, Portobello Mushrooms, Romanesco and Cheddar Whipped Potatoes was tear-inducing perfection. There wasn't a drop left on the plate when we were done. The Main Course, a drink composed of Fernet Branca, Campari, Bulleit Rys Whiskey, Falernum Syrup and Mole Bitters. We were in a GOOD place by this point. It isn't often that you get a cheese course that is served warm (our sous chef for the night shared this as she brought out this bowl of joy). This Baked Robiola Bosina Cheese with Carmelized Onions and a Quince Relish was unreal. I could've eaten a full entree serving. Probably the most "simple" thing we tasted and yet still it was several cuts above, was this Eclair with a Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse. My dessert for the evening was Napa Rose's Signature Hot Chocolate with a chewy ginger cookie, a brown butter toffee cookie, a sugar crisp, and a marshmallow creme. My wife received the Harvest Pear Turnover with a Holiday Egg Nog Ice Cream Float. I still dream of this dessert. I was surprised with an extra surprise dessert, a Peppermint White Chocolate Creme Brulee. I nearly fell out of my chair after one bite. One more amazing bite to round out our amazing meal--Salted Caramel Peppermint Truffles! After our incredible meal we pushed ourselves back into the parks to enjoy the evening lights. This was a sight to behold. It was a bummer that we didn't get to experience the attraction this trip, but seeing the lighting was still a treat. I couldn't help but marvel at it all. I love this so much. A late night run on the Jungle Cruise is always worth it! We made it back to Main Street in time to catch the holiday fireworks! I love how the Main Street projections are used in the show. SNOW!!! The Magic Eye Theater isn't in use right now, so the sign has been replaced with a wonderfully retro piece of Mary Blair art. I love Tomorrowland at night. The Matterhorn at night will forever be one of my favorite experiences at the Disneyland Resort.

Makes sense. The timing won’t be ideal from a park experience standpoint so I’d absolutely recommend buying Quick Queue or Quick Queue Unlimited (which includes one-time Quick Queue access for Iron Gwazi) that way you aren’t as pressed for time to experience the park’s other coasters. Go straight to Iron Gwazi once the park opens and ride as much in standby as you can before it gets too busy. Then you’ve got your Quick Queue options to plan the rest of your day. https://buschgardens.com/tampa/upgrades/quick-queue/

Unnecessarily long lines for the same experience as you could have a week later for a fraction of the wait time. Plus the rest of the park will be equally swamped with the people who didn’t realize the Iron Gwazi line would be so bad. If you truly “must be first” you’ll need to plan to get to the parking lot early (several hours before park opening) and be prepared to wait in your car until the toll plazas open. There may be some gratification that comes from riding on opening day or being among the first, but ask yourself how much that is worth. The ride operated previously for employees in 2020 and has been doing passholder previews for weeks. You’ll be far from the first to ride. What can you expect from attending on opening day? A less enjoyable version of an enjoyable day at Busch Gardens a week to two weeks later.

It has been announced that Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland will close on March 9th, 2022 to undergo its transformation before opening in early 2023. This announcement includes confirmation that Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Mickey's House and Minnie's House will all return with the land along with reimagined experiences coming to Gadget's Go Coaster, Goofy's House and Donald's Boat. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/02/the-transformation-of-mickeys-toontown-at-disneyland-park-begins-soon/ As we previously shared, Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland park will soon begin its transformation into a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations with some all-new experiences, more play and interactivity for our guests, with a focus on families and young children. To begin this work, Mickey’s Toontown will be closed beginning March 9, 2022, and will reopen in early 2023, alongside the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. If you want to see Mickey’s Toontown one more time before the reimagining begins, be sure to visit between now and March 8! As a reminder, both a theme park ticket and park reservation for the same park and the same date are required for park entry. But don’t worry if you can’t make it before then — when Mickey’s Toontown reopens in 2023, it will still be home to favorite attractions such as Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House! Plus, other attractions will be reimagined in new and exciting ways, including Gadget’s Go Coaster, Goofy’s House and Donald’s Boat. We look forward to sharing many more details about the reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown in the future!

Today the Disneyland Resort shared more details about the return of nighttime spectaculars at both parks, including some exciting news about the Main Street Electrical Parade! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/02/disneyland-resort-unveils-return-dates-for-nighttime-spectaculars-and-new-finale-coming-to-the-main-street-electrical-parade/ As announced in November during Destination D23, the Disneyland Resort is thrilled to bring back its nighttime spectaculars this spring. So many fan-favorite entertainment offerings have continued to return – from Jambalaya Jazz in New Orleans Square at Disneyland park to “Disney Junior Dance Party!” in Disney California Adventure park. Plus, we’ve recently introduced experiences like encountering Raya in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to the Celebrate Soulfully entertainment throughout the month of February. Each of these offerings highlights the incredible momentum at the Disneyland Resort as part of our phased reopening. Today, we’re excited to share even more on the entertainment front, with additional details around the return of our nighttime spectaculars! On April 22, 2022, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular will return to Disneyland park, and “World of Color” will return to Disney California Adventure park. “Fantasmic!” is preparing for its return to Disneyland park on May 28, 2022. But that’s not all the exciting news we have to share with you today! Upon its return to Disneyland park, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the Disney Live Entertainment team will introduce exciting new elements to the “Main Street Electrical Parade” that will continue to evolve this beloved spectacular. Over the past five decades, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” has brought families together to delight in its many whimsical stories and featured characters. And soon, that will continue for a whole new generation of dreamers. In honor of the parade’s 50th anniversary, this nighttime spectacular will return with an all-new, enchanted grand finale that celebrates the theme of togetherness. This universal theme is reflected in the creative concept of the grand finale sequence. Inspired by both the original design of classic “Main Street Electrical Parade” floats and Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic art style on “it’s a small world,” the new grand finale brings to life more than a dozen Disney Animation and Pixar stories. These stories will be interpreted in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sound, with unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls. As the new grand finale passes by, guests along each side of the parade route will see a different set of stylized scenes from classic and contemporary favorite stories such as “Encanto,” “The Jungle Book,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Aladdin,” “Coco,” “Mulan,” “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog” and more. Check out one of the early pieces of concept art, featuring Mirabel and Antonio from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award-nominated film, “Encanto.” From the Blue Fairy to a colorful, unique representation of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the grand finale of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” comprises seven segments stretching 118 feet in length, making it one of the longest and grandest units in the parade’s 50-year history. “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” will be available for a limited time at Disneyland park. When “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular comes back on April 22, it will run weekends only (Friday through Sunday). “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will present its high-energy, projections-only show during the week (Monday through Thursday) until late spring. At that time, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks will then run nightly in the summer. “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!” will return to their regular schedule upon reopening. We cannot wait to “ignite the night” once again! With the return of fan-favorite offerings, and new experiences on the way, the Disneyland Resort is buzzing with energy and excitement. It’s a great time to plan a visit, and we’re so excited to continue welcoming back our guests! We look forward to sharing more details about our entertainment offerings as the return of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” “World of Color,” “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular and “Fantasmic!” draw nearer in the coming weeks. As always, stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog! Check the latest entertainment details and schedules at Disneyland.com or the Disneyland mobile app. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com/Updates for important information to know before your visit, including the latest information on required face coverings.

Today Hersheypark announced a re-imagined experience for Sidewinder along with the addition of the new Mix'd Flavored By Jolly Rancher ride. Both attractions will debut this summer. https://stories.hersheypa.com/hersheypark-announces-two-new-jolly-rancher-attraction-experiences-for-summer-2022/ Hersheypark amusement park today announced the Hersheypark skyline is getting brighter this summer with two new Jolly Rancher attraction experiences that guests can only find at Hersheypark. Guests can take a flavor ride on Jolly Rancher Remix coaster, a first-of-its-kind reimagined coaster for the senses, and enjoy spinning 360 degrees on Mix'd Flavored By Jolly Rancher all-new family ride located next to Jolly Rancher Remix. Both experiences will be open during all four seasons following their summer debut. NEW JOLLY RANCHER ATTRACTION EXPERIENCES One of 15 coasters at Hersheypark, Jolly Rancher Remix reimagined boomerang roller coaster takes guests on a flavor ride by sending them and their senses forward and back on the same flavorful track. Riders of Hershey’s height category (48”) and above will blast through the flavor tunnel, invert six times in 90 seconds and jam to sweet tunes. Each ride is different with five randomized flavor rides like Watermelon or Green Apple, complete with different music, lights and scents for an only-in-Hershey sensory experience. Mix'd Flavored By Jolly Rancher all-new family ride is located just steps away from Jolly Rancher Remix in the heart of Hersheypark near Storm Runner coaster. Riders of Reese’s height category (42”) and above sit in one of the four arms and spin 360 degrees. The ride then shifts into gear and mixes in lifts, drops and never-before-seen views while dodging the other riders.

SeaWorld San Diego has released the official POV of Emperor:

^Antartica has been the exhibit-only experience for a few years now. You queue in the same way you did before, and you experience the first and second pre-shows that you would have seen before riding, but now you are sent directly into the open air animal exhibit.

Herschend Enterprises has announced details about their new GROW U program to all employees to pursue higher education with 100% of tuition, fees and books paid for as a part of the program. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/herschend-enterprises-11-000-employees-to-receive-100-free-tuition-301477917.html Today Herschend Enterprises, the nation's largest privately-owned themed attractions corporation, announced it will cover 100% of tuition, fees, and books for its 11,000 employees who choose to pursue further education. The significant investment in employee education will be made through Herschend's GROW U. The program aims to make it exponentially easier for employees at all levels to pursue their personal and professional dreams through education. Herschend's GROW U. will officially launch on February 24, 2022, for all seasonal, part-time, and full-time employees across its 25 US attractions including The Harlem Globetrotters, Dollywood Parks & Resorts (Tenn.), Silver Dollar City (Mo.), Adventure Aquarium (N.J.), Newport Aquarium (Ky.), Kentucky Kingdom (Ky.), Wild Adventures (Ga.), and Pink Adventure Tours (Ariz., Tenn., Nev.). "Herschend's GROW U. is not only a significant and transformational investment in our employee's growth but also our love culture in action," said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend Enterprises. "Herschend is rooted in love – it's evident at every Herschend property, every day –in the way we treat and support each other, how we Create Memories Worth Repeating for guests, and most importantly, how we care for our employees." "Whether it's to pursue a new dream or advance their career with us, we care about our employees' personal and professional growth, because we believe that their futures should be grown with love, not loans," continued Wexler. "Our team members' success is our success – and that's why we're thrilled to make this benefit available to all, regardless of their role in the company and without the burden of debt." HOW IT WORKS Herschend's GROW U. offers 11,000 eligible seasonal, part-time and full-time employees and hosts more than 100 fully-funded (100% free) diploma, degree and certificate programs across 30 learning partners in Guild's Learning Marketplace, including programs in high-demand fields such as business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. Additionally, the company will provide partial funding, up to $5,250/year, for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design. Herschend Enterprises selected Guild Education, the nation's leading education and upskilling platform, to power GROW U. because of their strong reputation for connecting employers and high-value learning providers to create opportunities for America's workforce. Herschend employees will have access to Guild's proprietary Learning Marketplace to select from more than 30 learning providers and utilize resources like professional coaches to support their educational journey. "We're proud to partner with Herschend to provide their employees with an equitable education program to advance their careers," said Natalie McCullough, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Guild. "With this program, Herschend is preparing its workforce for the jobs of the future with new skills and mobility opportunities." About Herschend Enterprises Launched in 1960, Herschend Enterprises is a family of companies that focus on family entertainment. Its operating companies include Herschend Family Entertainment (Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Adventure Aquarium®, Newport Aquarium®, Kentucky Kingdom®, and Wild Adventures®), Herschend Live (Harlem Globetrotters®), Herschend Entertainment Studios (Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®) and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC (Pink Adventure Tours®). Herschend properties entertain more than 14 million guests annually. For six decades, Herschend has operated with the purpose of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. For more information, visit www.herschendenterprises.com. About Guild Education Guild Education is on a mission to unlock opportunity for America's workforce through education and upskilling. A certified B-Corp, founded to bridge the gap between education and employment for working adults in the U.S. in need of upskilling for the future of work, Guild's industry-leading technology platform allows the nation's largest employers — including Bon Secours Mercy Health, Chipotle, Discover, Hilton, Macy's, Target, Walmart and The Walt Disney Company — to offer strategic education and upskilling to their employees. Guild connects workers to a learning marketplace of the nation's best learning partners for working adults with tuition paid by the company. Guild's payments and technology platform, curated learning marketplace, and advanced education and career services come together to help working adult learners advance in their education and career, debt-free. For more information, visit https://www.guildeducation.com/

We've opened a separate thread since this affects both companies--please continue the conversation here:

It has been reported that SeaWorld Entertainment has made an offer to buy Cedar Fair for around $3.4 billion. This news is still developing and we will update this thread as more information comes in. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-01/seaworld-said-to-make-3-4-billion-takeover-bid-for-cedar-fair SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. has offered to buy amusement park owner Cedar Fair for around $3.4 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said. SeaWorld made a bid of about $60 per unit in cash for Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Fair, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The companies are working with advisers on the proposal, the people said. Deliberations are ongoing, and it’s unclear if the approach will lead to a transaction, the people said. A representative for Cedar Fair declined to comment, while a spokesperson for SeaWorld didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Update: Cedar Fair has confirmed that the proposal has been submitted to the Cedar Fair Board of Directors for review. https://ir.cedarfair.com/news/news-details/2022/Cedar-Fair-to-Review-Unsolicited-Non-Binding-Proposal-From-SeaWorld/default.aspx Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, today confirmed that it has received an unsolicited non-binding proposal from SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Consistent with its fiduciary duties, and in consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, the Cedar Fair Board of Directors will carefully review and consider the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and its unitholders. Cedar Fair unitholders do not need to take any action at this time. Perella Weinberg Partners L.P. is serving as financial advisor to Cedar Fair and Weil, Gotshal & Manges is serving as legal counsel.

Our next full day started bright and early at Disneyland Park as we revisited some of our favorite attractions at the resort while enjoying the holiday decor found throughout! Always a welcome sight! The Candlelight Processional returned for one weekend this year, which just happened to be the weekend of our trip. In the interest of time we didn't stop to watch, but the setup at the Main Street station was neat to see. Rope drop time! Where else do you go than Space Mountain when starting your day at Disneyland? Followed immediately by rides on the Matterhorn Bobsleds! Hi Harold! Splashdown! I always love experiencing Alice in Wonderland. And over the years the attraction has been updated with new effects and lighting that really make the scenes pop! Such a fun Disneyland classic. More entertainment out and about! It wouldn't be a trip to Disneyland without a stop at The Mint Julep Bar. Plus they had a new souvenir Mint Julep cup available for purchase! Mickey Beignets are a must while here. Hello Sleeping Beauty Castle! Jack Sparrow was having fun with guests in New Orleans Square... I don't think many people have a chance to look at this awesome plaque that calls out the names of those instrumental in making this attraction what it is... Never gets old. A Hen for a Ten? Red is awesome. More characters out and about by it's a small world! it's a small world! holiday was not open yet during our visit due to technical difficulties but opened a few days after we got home. Right before our trip the news about Mickey's Toontown updates was released, so we made sure to stop by and take in the land as it was then before it closes later this year. It is easy to see just how big of an addition Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is for Disneyland and Toontown. Time for a ride on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin! This will never not be a blast! Not the dip! Goofy was out in front of his house greeting guests in holiday garb! Donald was in front of his boat as well! Changes are coming... I'm curious to see what happens with this corner of the land when it reopens... The trolley tracks will be going away as a part of the land's updates. Such a fun style. "Do not look into the Eyes of Mara!" The Tropical Hideaway is a great place to grab a bite and rest. Bao and lumpia for the win! We found out what happened to Rosita! I love these poster designs! It was great to see the monorail up and running again through the park. Character cavalcades happened throughout the day, which meant we had even more chances to see Mickey and the gang! I honestly hope these cavalcades continue long after the pandemic is over. I love this. Over in California Adventure the gang was looking quite dapper. Hi Horace! Holiday sourdough! It isn't a trip to Disney California Adventure without a soup bread bowl from Pacific Wharf Cafe. The Sunset Showcase Theater got a new entrance and marquee since my last visit, bringing more attention to Mickey's PhilharMagic located within. Our time in the parks was cut short after a surprising phone call led us to the Grand Californian... More on that in the next update. How cute is this Grand Californian-inspired gingerbread house?

Last weekend SeaWorld Orlando hosted another round of Inside Look, a special event that offers guests the chance to go behind the scenes of attractions, exhibits and experiences throughout the park. Some of these Inside Looks can only be experienced during this special event while others are typically reserved for paid tours and SeaWorld Camp. But instead Inside Look brings the access to all for what is a really fun and insightful event. I had experienced a few of the behind the scenes looks in previous years including the Manta aquarium and Shark Encounter, so my focus this time was to do offerings that were new to me. In the limited time I had, I was able to go through three Inside Looks, one for Orca Encounter, one for Wild Arctic and the last for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. While I was in the park, I was also able to see several of the recent or current efforts underway to update park elements with new paint, new decor and theming. It is nice to see updates happening throughout the park in advance of the opening of Ice Breaker next month, and it looks like this is only the start. Driving up to SeaWorld Orlando, guests are greeted by a new entrance sign. Gone is the former orca sculpture, replaced with a new rock structure. The Dolphin Nursery emerged from its recent refurbishment with an updated color scheme. Ice Breaker will officially open next month. The up-close look at the backstage side of Orca Stadium was clearly going to be popular so I went there first. The event started at 11:00 AM and this was the line about 15 minutes before that. This Inside Look had limited hours to allow the orcas to perform in the Orca Encounter show during the day. By the time 11:00 AM hit, the line for this experience ran all the way to The Waterfront. Once inside you are brought to the first of three stations in the back half of Orca Stadium... It is really neat to see just how expansive the complex is behind the stage. They weren't kidding when they said you got up close! Here we had a chance to see two orcas enjoying recreational activities while swimming between the three stations set up between three pools. One orca was tasked with taking this jello to a trainer at the third station's pool. Of the three stations, for me this was the best view I had. But as I experienced at the third station, it was all a matter of timing as the routing of these orcas was not being majorly altered for guests at Inside Look. Off they go! From the second station (the Medical Pool), I could see an orca doing a slide trick in front of the third station. The second station was the Medical Pool, where a rising floor can be lifted to raise orcas out of the water for treatment and inspections. We did get to see the orcas move through the Medical Pool to the third station. It was shared that much of the time orcas spend in the medical pool is recreational and comforting to build a familiarity with the space. This allows the orcas to be more at ease in the space, not having a purely negative association with the more stressful experiences that happen for medical or health needs. And yes, we learned how orcas know how to provide urine samples in the Medical Pool. We got a few swim-by's during our time at the third station, but nothing quite like I observed in the other two stations. At the edge of Sesame Street Land, the former Sea Carousel has reopened as the Sunny Day Carousel. A new construction fence on the Wild Arctic side of Sesame Street Land has gone up. Over by Wild Arctic there were some interactive stations presented by SeaWorld Camp. Headed towards the Inside Look entrance for Wild Arctic, it is hard not to admire the layout of Ice Breaker. I really can't wait to ride this one! From our walk to the Inside Look experience at Wild Arctic you could see even more of Ice Breaker. First stop for our Wild Arctic Inside Look was a peek at the enrichment items that the animals inside can play with. You don't realize just how much goes into a marine exhibit's water filtration until you see the system up close. We were able to see the food preparation kitchen for Wild Arctic. The science of how much food each resident of Wild Arctic gets is complex and incredibly interesting! The Inside Look ends by leading you out into the main Wild Arctic exhibit. Ice Breaker is looking ready to roll! Very cool. It was my first time seeing Kraken with its new paint scheme. The colors look pretty cool! A new Inside Look show, Seal of Fortune (a game show) was offered in the Nautilus Theater. The Inside Shark Encounter experience returned for this year's event. The Sky Tower has been undergoing a refurbishment including a new paint scheme. Turn right to go left. I was most eager to do the Inside Look for Antarctica, because it actually allowed us to walk the ride path of the former attraction. An open air penguin encounter had been set up in the final ride scene for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. It was kind of neat to be back in this space. Plus I'll never complain about a chance to see more penguins. We also had a chance to see the ride path's side of the penguin habitat. Quite a view! Puck from the former ride waved us on as we moved out towards the former ride's exit station. Looking back one more time... On the ride path of the exit station... I ended my dead with a quick stop by Kraken to check out the new paint job up close. The track and supports have been repainted with a new color scheme but the trains have not been updated. I still really like the new color scheme! Can't wait to come back and ride!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that Iron Gwazi will officially open on March 11th, 2022! https://buschgardens.com/tampa/roller-coasters/iron-gwazi/ IRON GWAZI THE BEAST AWAKENS MARCH 11 NORTH AMERICA'S TALLEST, WORLD'S FASTEST & STEEPEST HYBRID COASTER Just in time for spring break, Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world, will open on March 11. Iron Gwazi takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206 foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. Riders on Iron Gwazi will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, as they sink their teeth into crocodile-inspired thrills.

Knott's Berry Farm has announced that Montezooma's Revenge will undergo major renovations starting on January 10th, 2022. The updated attraction will open in 2023 with more details to be released in the future. https://www.knotts.com/rides-experiences/montezoomas-revenge Montezooma’s Revenge will close on January 10, 2022, as major renovations will be taking place to this historic coaster. This flywheel-launched shuttle coaster was the first of its kind and will be upgraded with exciting changes while keeping the ride’s unique charm that our guests have loved for generations. Stay tuned for more information later this year. The new Montezooma’s Revenge is scheduled to open in 2023.

For what seemed like my first trip to Disneyland in forever (my last trip was just over two years prior for the D23 Expo 2019), my wife and I managed to sneak away to the Disneyland Resort for a trip full of firsts... This was our first time visiting during the holiday season with all that that includes, as well as our first time visiting since the opening of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. Having been to Disneyland many times prior, this trip took a more relaxed pace, with us focusing on the unique holiday offerings, the new experiences at Avengers Campus and repeating many of our favorites. This worked out well as we also visited in the time before Genie+ and Lightning Lane was in use--meaning that all attractions operated with standby only. Fortunately enough, we were able to plan our time strategically and never waited more than 45 minutes for any one experience, with the exception of WEB Slingers, which we waited over an hour for due to the new ride's popularity. We had three days at the resort with the first day being the most casual--allowing us to enjoy Downtown Disney, Trader Sam's for lunch and Disneyland in the evening. The former ESPN Zone had some neat murals added to promote the variety of content available to enjoy on Disney+. It was announced at the Destination D23 event a few weeks ago that this corner of Downtown Disney would be demolished in the near future for a midcentury modern designed area of Downtown Disney with new shops and dining. The former Rainforest Cafe was repurposed as an expanded Star Wars Trading Post and I can't help but admire how the former rainforest ruins have been mildly rethemed to a Yavin 4-esque Rebel base. If you remember the retail interior of Rainforest Cafe it is kind of neat to see how the space was reutilized for Star Wars Trading Post. Nope. I've got a tradition to keep up... Yep! Trader Sam's it is! Don't pu pu my love of this wonderful oasis. After Trader Sam's reopened post-COVID, the venue started requiring dining reservations and with that change, the menu received a few heartier entrees to choose from. This ramen was awesome and truly hit the spot on the chilly day we visited! New mug acquired! Even though we dined outside (the weather was just too nice not to) we had to check out the holiday decor inside the Enchanted Tiki Bar! On our way out of Trader Sam's we spotted Goofy standing outside Goofy's Kitchen waiting to take photos with guests! We agreed that we would focus on Disneyland for our first day's time in the parks and seeing the park dressed up for the holidays was honestly the best way to really kick off our trip's theme park time. The Dapper Dans were great to see and hear here. Quite the tree. Hello beautiful! I had experienced Haunted Mansion Holiday years ago during a Halloween-time visit that I made to the resort but it was my wife's first time experiencing the glory that is this overlay. This was also Haunted Mansion Holiday's 20th year in operation. It isn't a visit to Disneyland without at least one ride on Big Thunder Mountain. Snow White's Enchanted Wish was another new experience for us since the last time we rode this it was still Snow White's Scary Adventures. In addition to updated scenes and effects within the ride, the facade and queue received enhancements to lighten the mood. But many of the classic touches have been preserved. Less gloomy than before but still very cool! A fun new detail we noticed was that you can see Snow White's silhouette dancing in the window of the cottage at the boarding area for the ride. I now present to you: The Backside of Castle! I was really excited to see just how much live entertainment and character experiences were being offered throughout the parks during our visit. Alien Pizza Planet has moved in permanently and received a neat sign to match. Still among my favorite experiences getting the chance to Rockit through space. That evening we had the chance to see A Christmas Fantasy Parade. This is a charming, classic parade with some of the iconic holiday elements I've grown used to seeing at the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party over the years. Mickey and the Gang are here! Hi Elissa! Adorable. Fun to see Frozen integrated into the parade. Most classic holiday characters in the parade. Goofy and Pluto! The toy factory float was super impressive! Hi Jack! Santa even came by to visit! Gorgeous. This is next-level pretty. For a cool evening, the grilled cheese and tomato bisque at the Jolly Holiday Bakery was a perfect dinner. I love the Castle Dreamlights on Sleeping Beauty Castle. They had a neat Muppets Haunted Mansion exhibit in the Main Street Opera House featuring props from the special. As a fan of The Muppets and Haunted Mansion, the special is something I really enjoyed and would recommend if you're a fan of either. Lots of fun references from both sides of the fandom. Good night Disneyland... See you tomorrow!

Last month it was announced that Margaritaville would be launching a new cruise line Margaritaville at Sea, starting with their first ship, the Margaritaville Paradise. This ship will offer two and three night starting on April 30th with sailings out of the Port of Palm Beach Florida. The ship is being refitted after previously serving as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica. https://blog.margaritaville.com/2021/12/margaritaville-sets-sail-with-margaritaville-at-sea/ Today, Margaritaville announces Margaritaville at Sea, an offshore resort experience. The first cruise ship, Margaritaville Paradise, will offer the fun, escapism, and state of mind synonymous with the global lifestyle brand. “To me, the only thing better than being on a beach by the ocean, is to be on the ocean. Now you can follow in our wake,” said singer, songwriter and best-selling author, Jimmy Buffett. Departing on her first passenger sailing on April 30 from the Port of Palm Beach Florida to Grand Bahama Island, Margaritaville Paradise will include 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins in various stateroom categories. Following a multi-million investment and refurbishment, the ship’s cabins and common spaces will feature Margaritaville’s signature casual-luxe design with subtle nautical details and colors influenced by the surrounding sea, sand, and sky. “Margaritaville at Sea will be a new, exciting, and fun way for guests to escape and vacation in Margaritaville,” said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville. “From oceans to lakes, Margaritaville has an organic tie to the water and with Margaritaville at Sea, we’re able to put our iconic lifestyle, resort experiences, and elevated service directly on the sea. We look forward to seeing guests on, and in, Paradise.” Margaritaville Paradise, formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s flagship vessel, Grand Classica, will feature gourmet food and beverage options, including JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet, LandShark Sports Bar, and Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop as well as the Euphoria Lounge, Sunset Bar, and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Additionally, the ship will offer onboard leisure activities and entertainment, including the Par-A-Dice Casino, a Stars on the Water Theater, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, pools, a retail shop, and more. The ship was built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and entered service as a pioneer ship. She has opened many new markets and frontiers during her lifetime, so it is fitting that Margaritaville Paradise will again be a pioneer for Margaritaville at Sea. “We’re excited about this new partnership as we launch Margaritaville at Sea out of the Port of Palm Beach. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and are appreciative of our loyal customers and trade partners who have stood by us through so much. We’re excited about this next phase of our evolution, rebranding as Margaritaville at Sea. The collaborative concept will add a different dimension to the cruising industry, appealing to a new audience of travelers,” added Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, who will serve as CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “Margaritaville at Sea will provide guests with Margaritaville’s authentic culture, entertainment, and food en route to a beautiful destination in Grand Bahama Island. The experience will be complemented by an unmatched, personalized approach to guest service from start to finish via valet service and exclusive cruise terminals for smoother embarkation and disembarkation. It’s the perfect partnership in paradise.” For more information or to book, visit margaritavilleatsea.com. About Margaritaville at Sea Margaritaville at Sea is a floating island vacation at sea that brings together the brand’s iconic hospitality and resort experiences with the ability to escape and see the world. The inaugural ship, Margaritaville Paradise, features 658 casual-luxe cabins with nautical details and colors influenced by the sea, sand, and sky. Amenities include several dining venues, pools, entertainment programming, retail stores, a St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, and more. In addition to Margaritaville at Sea, Margaritaville features over 25 hotels and resorts, two gaming properties, RV resorts, and over 60 food and beverage venues – as well as real estate communities, vacation clubs, and consumer lifestyle products. To learn about Margaritaville at Sea, visit margaritavilleatsea.com.